When the Red Moon Rose

Redleaf Island has become incredibly lively these past few days.

Tourists from all over Beihai made this already bustling place even more lively.

Meanwhile, beneath the surface of the sea, unbeknownst to anyone, a submarine had already silently arrived.

"It really is completely red!"

Page One pressed his face against the porthole, his features contorted by the glass, and looked out expectantly. Outside was seawater, but not ordinary seawater; it was a deep, crimson red.

This is an extraordinary red, one that doesn't evoke images of blood or anything like that. It's a crystal-clear red, a breathtaking red that looks like flowing red crystal.

Yamato was perched on another porthole nearby, exclaiming, "How beautiful!"

"Today is the last day of the festival,"

Luo said, "It's also the most exciting day. The fiery red of the maple trees will reach its peak today, and it happens to be the night of the full moon. The final festival will be tonight."

"So, we've arrived at just the right time?"

Sirius chuckled softly.

He saw the island above the sea through the periscope.

It was an extraordinary spectacle; as far as the eye could see, everything was fiery red.

The red in this area is not gentle; it is wild and unrestrained, showing off its brilliance.

However, it was not dazzling. When Sirius saw this fiery red, he subconsciously associated it with flames—warm, flamboyant, and magnificent.

I can't wait!

"Then, log in."

Sirius said with a smile.

"Who will stay behind to guard the ship?" Black Maria asked with a smile.

Although the Sirius is designed for simple, even simple systems require manual operation. If no one is around, it will soon be swept away by the ocean currents.

"I'll stay."

Luo said, "One person is enough."

"Roh, aren't you interested in the festival?" Sirius asked in surprise.

"Someone has to stay, right?"

Luo casually said, "Oh, right, these are what I made these past two days. You should all wear them."

He handed over several masks.

"Since the navy is still hunting us, it's best to be careful,"

Luo said, "I will use my abilities to send you to the island. Try not to cause any disturbance."

"How meticulously prepared!" Page One exclaimed.

This is something they wouldn't normally see in their pirate crew.

"He's so reliable, Luo."

Sirius also agreed.

Indeed, if the purpose of this trip is to have fun, then we shouldn't have attracted any troublesome people.

One mask should be enough, since almost everyone in this world is face-blind.

Black Maria whispered to Jack, "What are your thoughts, Jack? 'Too reliable,' isn't that what Sirius always said to you?"

"Snort."

Jack simply hummed in response and said nothing more.

Soon, the Sirius approached a corner of the island's coastline, where a huge bubble, not particularly noticeable in the sunlight, formed, enveloping part of the coastline from beneath the sea surface.

Then, figures appeared out of thin air on the shore.

"What a powerful ability!"

Jack's voice was muffled because of the mask, but his amazement was still evident. Then he added with a hint of disdain, "They're just a bit too weak."

"Few people are born strong; there's no need to rush."

Sirius said with a smile, looking up at the center of the island, where a huge mountain peak stood, steep and precipitous, covered in a dazzling red.

The red color spread downwards, reaching right in front of them.

The wind blows across the island, and all the maple trees sway in the breeze. Accompanied by the sound of the leaves rustling, the whole island seems to be dancing.

"How beautiful!"

Yamato stared blankly at the scene, lost in thought.

"That's right, it's just like arriving on an island of fire!" Black Maria exclaimed.

"Mmm, mmm, mmm, it feels like I'm about to be roasted." Bepo nodded repeatedly.

Polar bears, of course, are afraid of the heat.

"Let's go, let's go check out a place with lots of people."

Sirius glanced around briefly with his Observation Haki, then headed directly in a certain direction.

Heading towards the most crowded area is never a bad idea.

"Good!"

Yamato followed closely in Sirius's footsteps.

They soon arrived at a bustling town.

Like the island itself, it is entirely fiery red, with maple leaf emblems everywhere.

The buildings were almost all made of wood, mostly two-story houses, and were all decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.

Upon arriving in the town, all Sirius could see were people; the town was almost overflowing with people, making it difficult for Sirius to buy anything.

Isn't this a popular tourist attraction during holidays?

Sirius suddenly had this realization.

Fortunately, Jack and Maria were there; their exceptional physiques allowed them to easily push through the crowd.

We strolled around the town, which was indeed very lively. Sirius bought quite a few souvenirs and some special candies for Pay-tan and Bepo.

The town wasn't very big. After exploring the town, following the signs, Sirius and his companions began their island-hopping journey along the mountain road.

There are many viewing platforms along the way, offering panoramic views of the scenery ahead.

The higher you go, the more magnificent the scenery becomes.

Upon reaching the platform atop the mountain and looking down, Sirius saw a sea of fire.

It was dusk, and at the horizon, the sun was setting, casting a similar orange-red glow.

The islands, the sea, even the sky are ablaze!

The whole world was reduced to a fiery red color!

"It's spectacular!"

Yamato exclaimed in surprise in his ear.

Sirius turned his head away; her whole body was flushed. Although he couldn't see her face, she must be laughing heartily.

Because I saw a corner of a beautiful world.

Yamato leaned close to Sirius's ear and whispered his name so no one could hear, "Sirius, how do you feel?"

He chuckled softly. "We set sail for moments like this."

"Kindness!"

Yamato nodded heavily.

That's great!

This trip was worthwhile.

But this is not the end.

"The festival has begun!"

As the sun finally set completely, someone shouted.

"Look!"

Yamato patted Sirius on the shoulder and pointed downwards.

Sirius looked down in the direction she was pointing, and saw firelight rising at the foot of the distant mountain, gradually spreading up the winding mountain road to the summit.

Under the night sky, this ever-spreading flame resembled a thriving Flame Dragon, gradually coiling around the mountain peak.

The flames once again illuminated the mountains and forests, which had been dimmed by the heavy clouds in the sky.

Under the firelight, the maple trees in the mountains and forests were bathed in a play of light and shadow.

The flames drew closer, and soon they reached the mountaintop.

Sirius jumped onto Jack's shoulder after a long absence and, through the crowd, saw the group of people who had reached the mountaintop platform.

Two rows of people led the way, holding blazing torches and humming unknown songs.

Behind them, burly men with bare upper bodies carried a palanquin, on which sat a beautiful young woman dressed in a white-on-top, red-on-bottom shrine maiden's robe.

Simply put, it's very similar to Yamato's previous outfits.

"Miko?"

Sirius frowned. Why a witch?

"It's so beautiful!"

"Yamato sighed, perched on Jack's other shoulder."

"Yes! It's beautiful!"

Bepo nodded emphatically.

Although he is Mink Tribe, he has lived in the human world since childhood, so his aesthetic sense naturally tends to gravitate towards that of humans.

"Pay-tan, you don't think she's pretty too, do you?"

Ulti smiled and hugged Page One's neck, asking gently.

Page One trembled and didn't dare to speak.

But why a shrine maiden?

Sirius still couldn't understand.

Isn't this the traditional attire of Wano Country?

Strong men carried the palanquin to the center of the high platform, and then the priestess dismounted and went to the center of the platform.

Then, no one knows what they did, but the center of the platform rose up, carrying the priestess into the air.

May the gods protect you and keep misfortune away!

Suddenly, some people shouted from the foot of the mountain.

Then, in the next instant, the same sound echoed throughout the entire island, rising ever higher.

May the gods protect you and keep misfortune away!

Even the people on the mountaintop began to shout, their voices deafening and their momentum magnificent.

Soon, shouts of "Stop!" rang out, and people holding torches surrounded the raised platform; the dazzling flames seemed poised to ignite everything.

A song began to play.

On the high platform, the priestess was chanting softly.

Then more people began to respond softly.

The priestess began to dance.

Almost simultaneously, the thick clouds in the sky suddenly dispersed, and soft moonlight shone down.

That is--

Yamato cried out in alarm.

Sirius looked up; a full moon hung high in the sky.

Unlike the usual pale and cool moon, the moon at this moment was crimson, like an incomparably dazzling gem hanging high in the sky.

Sirius looked down and saw the soft moonlight illuminating the forest, softening its fiery red color.

The world seemed to be illuminated, a captivating crimson hue spreading across the globe.

It's so beautiful.

But it was at this time...

"Aww!"

A roar suddenly rang out from the side.

Sirius turned his head in surprise and saw Bepo rip off his mask, step on the shoulder of the person in front of him, and leap into the air.

His body was swelling, and his body hair was growing.

His eyes turned bloodshot, his claws sharpened rapidly, and even arcs of electricity crackled across his body. He clung to the side of the rising pillar and then scrambled upwards at lightning speed.

What's wrong with this kid all of a sudden?

Etc!

Sirius blinked, looked up at the full moon in the sky, and thought, "Is this... the Sulong?"

I almost forgot that the Mink Tribe has a similar backstory to the Saiyan!

"Aww!!"

The berserk Bepo roared, leaping into the air and landing heavily on the high platform, looking up at the moon and howling loudly.

"Ah!!"

The shrine maiden, who had been dancing, turned pale and collapsed to the ground, screaming.

The crowd erupted in chaos, screaming in terror and jostling to get away.

"That idiot, he really knows how to cause trouble for others."

Sirius leaped up and landed directly on the high platform, casually slapping Bepo, who was still roaring at the moon, on the neck.

The guy immediately quieted down.

Sirius grabbed his collar to keep him from falling.

At the same time, the changes in Bepo's body began to recover rapidly.

Sirius smiled and turned to the priestess who was staring up at him in a daze, saying, "I'm sorry, miss, did my companion frighten you?"

The shrine maiden replied instinctively, "No, it's alright."

"Greatsword! Black hair! And those two big guys!"

From within the crowd, someone trembled and hissed in a low voice, "He's here! It's definitely him!! He's really here!!"

"Prepare for action!!"